AYP scores too extreme say school authorities

Larry Bowers:

Cleveland Director of Schools Dr. Rick Denning emphasized today the criteria for graduation rates required by No Child Left Behind are “too extreme,” challenging high schools locally, across the state and across the nation.
Cleveland and Bradley County schools received their annual Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) scores for the past year this week and a majority of schools in the two local education systems are in “Good Standing.”
These annual scores, released by the Tennessee Department of Education, are based on information provided by the state on district and school-level achievement.
All Bradley County elementary schools, middle schools and Walker Valley High School received marks of “Good Standing” by meeting federal benchmarks as defined by No Child Left Behind.
Cleveland Middle School was removed from “Target Status” with improvements in Special Education Math, for which the school was listed “At Risk” two years ago.